The latest Guardian Essential poll reveals that 64% of Australians rate the government's performance on inflation and the cost of living crisis as poor, with only 16% rating it as good. Cost of living and inflation was cited as the most important issue by nearly 80% of voters.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor's approval rating has fallen, with his net approval dropping to minus-12 from minus-1 in June. His approvals decreased by three points, and disapprovals increased by seven points. This decline includes a 16-point drop among men and a 20-point drop among those aged 35-54.
The poll, which surveyed 1,060 voters last week, also found that One Nation's primary vote has plateaued at 25%, a one-point decrease from June. This marks the second consecutive Essential poll where the party's primary vote has dropped since reaching 28% in May. Meanwhile, Labor's indicative primary vote increased by one point to 31%, and the Coalition's vote fell by one point to 22%, though these movements are within the poll's margin of error.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's approval rating saw a one-point increase to minus-14, with 38% approving and 52% disapproving of his performance. This is the fourth consecutive month where over half of voters have disapproved of his performance.
Regarding new AI datacentres, only 28% of voters would support one in their local area, with 37% against. Concerns include energy demand (61%), water supply (44%), environmental impacts and noise (41%), and general AI growth (39%).